Investigator Jobs in San Francisco, CA

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A. Learn more about the City’s hiring process here: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/

• Application Opening – Thursday, September 10, 2026
• Application Deadline – The final day to apply is September 23, 2026
• Salary Range: $135,434.00 - $164,580.00 Yearly https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=2967&setId=COMMN
• Recruitment ID: PBT-2967-167737; RTF0167705-01089608

At the San Francisco Human Services Agency, we believe in a San Francisco where everyone has the opportunity and support to achieve their full potential. We are comprised of the Department of Benefits and Family Support, and the Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS), and are united by our commitment to deliver essential services that support and protect people, families, and communities.

From financial, nutritional and employment support to child and adult protective services, health care coverage, affordable childcare, and in-home services for older adults and persons with disabilities, our team lends support for all in need.

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As we work towards our vision of an inclusive San Francisco, we embrace our responsibility to root out systemic racism by creating services and a workforce which reflect the lived experiences and strengths of the people we serve. We are committed to fostering a work environment where our differences are celebrated and everyone has what they need to thrive - no matter their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin. Click here to learn more about what this commitment looks like in action.

Under direction of the Chief Investigator, the Supervising Welfare Fraud Investigator oversees and conducts complex administrative, civil, and criminal investigations on behalf of the Department of Human Services. This position supervises investigative staff while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and investigative standards.

As a sworn peace officer, the Supervising Welfare Fraud Investigator applies comprehensive knowledge of legal standards related to detentions, searches, arrests, and courtroom procedures, including providing sworn testimony and depositions. The incumbent is responsible for directing and participating in investigative activities that may lead to criminal prosecution.

This position requires the physical ability to perform the essential duties of a peace officer, including making arrests when necessary. Incumbents must be prepared to use reasonable and escalating force in accordance with law and departmental policy.

Essential Duties and Functions:

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job class and are not intended to be an inclusive list; may include additional duties as assigned.

• Oversees and conducts a variety of civil, criminal, and administrative investigations on behalf of the Department of Human Services by interviewing witnesses, key subjects, and experts and collecting, preserving, and analyzing evidence in order to understand the facts and how to proceed in a case.
• Oversees and directs the use of confidential data systems e.g. the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), Department of Motor Vehicles computer system, credit reporting systems, Incomes and Eligibility Benefits Transfer (EBT) and welfare systems.
• Oversees and conducts investigations into suspected criminal negotiation of certain types of welfare warrants to determine whether or not fraud has occurred.
• Prepares specialized administrative and investigative reports in different formats for executive staff, Investigations Manager, and other departments.
• Prepares evidence for presentation in criminal courts and administrative hearings.
• Assists in the development of unit and Departmental policies specifically related to law enforcement including arrest techniques, officer safety protocols, and use of force.
• Evaluates Department policies and procedures for possible fraud opportunity and/or security weaknesses and makes recommendations to DHS Executive Staff on resolution.
• Reviews and assigns investigative referrals regarding welfare fraud, administrative claims against the City of San Francisco, child deaths, alleged criminal conduct by Department employees, and threats against employees.
• Trains, evaluates, and supervises professional investigative staff in conducting warrant investigations and other investigative activities.
• Oversees the work of the assigned Investigations Unit checking for completeness and the application of appropriate investigative methods in arriving at conclusions, findings, and recommendations.
• Acts for the Chief Investigator in case of absence in all routine matters and special matters as assigned.
• Acts as a liaison between the Department of Human Services and other criminal justice agencies in order to facilitate and coordinate investigations.
• Makes criminal arrests, detentions, and assuring proper cause and using physical force when necessary, using an appropriate escalation of force options.
• Executes search warrants.
• Provides superiors with adequate demonstration of minimum standards for requested detentions, arrests and search warrants.
• Uses vigorous safety precautions in handling and properly maintaining firearm(s); tests semi-annually for firearms or verification and maintains passing scores.
• Facilitates regular training related to the use of force, firearms use and qualification, law enforcement standards for searches, detentions, and arrests, and other specialized peace officer duties.
• Operates motor vehicles in order to accomplish timely investigations, transport witnesses and suspects, deliver criminal evidence and court exhibits.

1. Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;

AND

2. Experience: Five (5) years of criminal justice investigative experience.

Substitution of Education:

Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two (2) years). Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.

License/Certification:

• Peace officer status
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California driver license

Special Requirements:

• Essential Duties involve the following physical skill and environment:
  • Ability to travel to different sites
  • Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity for data-entry
  • Extensive VDT exposure

**Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.**

Desirable Qualifications

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Possession of POST certification in Fraud/ Forgery
• Two (2) years of experience in Welfare Fraud

Background Investigation

Prior to appointment, each candidate’s background will be reviewed to determine his/her fitness for this position. Employees in this classification are peace officers and must meet P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards & Training) standards and comply with laws applicable to peace officer positions. Applicants will be required to complete P.O.S.T. personal history statement. Reasons for rejection may include repeated or serious violations of the law, inability to work well with co-workers, inability to accept supervision, insufficient knowledge of law enforcement work, or other relevant factors. Applicants must have a current history of careful and responsible motor vehicle operation. Driver’s license suspension, drunk driving, reckless or hit-and-run driving records, records of multiple moving violations, or probation for negligence in operating a vehicle may be cause for rejection. Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony in this state or in any federal jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this state. Criminal records will be carefully reviewed. Candidates who do not report their complete criminal records will be disqualified. Candidates must pass all parts of the background investigation.

Drug Testing Requirement

All employees in this classification may also be subject to drug and alcohol testing upon reasonable suspicion or after a work-related accident.

Verification of Experience and Education:

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Selection procedure:

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Written Examination: Multiple- Choice (Weight: 100%):

Candidates will be administered a written multiple-choice test designed to measure knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas, which may include oral and written communication, critical thinking, decision making, and leadership.

This computer-administered exam can be taken at home or at a time and location of one’s convenience, but only within the time period specified on the exam notification. Candidates must have access to a computer and reliable internet connection to participate in this exam. Candidates without access to a computer should contact the analyst as soon as possible for accommodation.

A passing score must be achieved on the Written Multiple Choice Examination in order to continue in the selection process.

The above test component is considered standardized and, therefore, test questions and answers are not available for public inspection or review.

Please note: Candidates must use only the tools, materials, and resources provided or explicitly authorized in the exam instructions. Accessing or attempting to access any other programs, websites, applications, devices, or external aids, including any artificial intelligence is strictly prohibited. Additionally, candidates may not copy, record, reproduce, or take notes on any portion of the exam, nor refer to unauthorized materials at any time. Discussing or disclosing exam content with others is also prohibited. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in disqualification.

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of six (6) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see the city’s Position Counts by Job Codes and Departments.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Where to apply

All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst, Patrice Brown, by telephone at (628) 328-2752 or by email at patrice.brown@sfgov.org.

All of your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.